October 15, 2024
In connecting across our vibrant academic community here in Bloomington, I am reminded of our commitment not only to regional engagement, but also to global impact. We rightly focus often on the vital contributions we make within Indiana, but we must also appreciate that our faculty are experts with reach far beyond our state, influencing discussions and discoveries across the globe. As we welcome an increasingly diverse student and faculty body and pursue transformative research and service, it is essential to elevate our faculty's visibility and showcase the remarkable work being done at IUB.
A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting India with IU colleagues, a trip that underscored our significant international presence and the potential for further collaboration. It coincided with the 10th anniversary of our IU India Gateway in New Delhi, a milestone that reflects our deep-rooted commitment to fostering relationships that enrich our community and advance our global footprint. India is our largest international student base today, and our engagement with Indian universities and alumni is pivotal to our strategy for enhancing IU's visibility.
During my time there, I engaged in meaningful discussions with representatives from several leading Indian universities, where we shared insights into our respective strengths and identified potential opportunities for additional collaboration. These interactions highlight the importance of building goodwill and fostering partnerships that can amplify our impact in various fields. My meeting with the leadership at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi further underscored the strategic importance of our relationship with India, reflecting the United States’ commitment to strengthening ties with this dynamic country.
Engaging with our alumni was another highlight of this trip. Their stories and their significant impact across many sectors remind us of the far-reaching influence of an IU education. These alumni – now almost 13,000 strong and global in their impact – are eager to reconnect and collaborate with us, and their enthusiasm was palpable during our meetings in New Delhi, Pune, and Bangalore. Every single conversation with our alums reminded me of what makes IUB so special – the excellent academic preparation they received, the deep care and sense of community at IU, and the many great memories they shared across campus.
Through such international efforts, and initiatives led by our deans and academic leaders in regions like Southeast Asia and Europe, we continue to highlight IU and the extraordinary accomplishments of our faculty, students, and alumni.
Top: Provost Shrivastav and Hannah Buxbaum, Vice President for International Affairs meet with IU alumni in Delhi, India. Left: The provost chats with IU alumni at an event in Bangalore, India. Right: Provost Shrivastav meets with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.
As we embrace a future rich with potential, it’s important that we reach out and tell our story broadly. Our faculty's achievements deserve to be highlighted, not only to inspire our students but also to contribute to a greater dialogue on critical issues facing our world. There has been a significant and deserved uptick in media coverage of our faculty’s research, which reflects the growing recognition of our contributions to critical global issues, such as health challenges, technology impacts, and sustainability.
But there is more to share. I also encourage you to tell the story of your work. Partner with your school and unit communicators and our University Communications & Marketing team to amplify your research and service and their societal impact. Let us showcase the full breadth of what we are achieving together. By embracing a mindset of visibility, we can ensure that our contributions are recognized, valued, and celebrated—not just within our university, but throughout the academic community and beyond.
Together, we can enhance IU’s global impact for the betterment of all.
